Iran to release US woman on bail

Shourd, right, was arrested along with two other Americans after crossing into Iran in July 2009 [EPA]

A senior Iranian prosecutor has said that his country is ready to release an American prisoner on bail. Sarah Shourd is one of three Americans held for more than a year accused of spying.

A release on bail would be granted because of Shourd's health problems, according to the official IRNA news agency.

"Based on reports and the approval of the relevant judge about the sickness of Ms Shourd, her detention was converted to $500,000, and if the bail is deposited, she can be released," Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, a Tehran prosecutor, was quoted as saying.

"She can be freed by posting the bail ... her lawyer has been informed."

Masoud Shafiei, Shroud's lawyer, said he was hopeful that she would leave prison in the next two or three days.

He said he had met the three detainees on Sunday at Tehran's Evin prison and that they were all fine.

He told the Associated Press news agency that the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran, was making arrangements for the $500,000 bail payment.

Shourd's mother has said her daughter is suffering from serious health problems, including a breast lump and precancerous cervical cells.

Spying charges

Dowlatabadi said the conditions of Shroud's bail did not bar her from leaving the country, though her case will still go to trial along with those of the other two Americans, who must remain in custody.

Shourd was arrested on July 31, 2009, along with her friends Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal after straying across the border from neighbouring Iraq. They have been accused of illegally entering the country and of spying.

Several Iranian officials had said Shourd would be released on Saturday as an act of clemency to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan after the intervention of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president.